Town leaders give initial approval to Carthage food truck park

November 11, 2024

The first step for a small food truck park in Carthage was approved on Thursday.

The Carthage Planning Board heard the plans from Ouida Newell, owner of the 1.23-acre property, who asked the board for a land conditional zoning approval. Newell owns two parcels at 310 Monroe Street. Newell requested the board to allow four food trucks on the property, which currently allows only one per parcel, with roughly 40 parking spots.

Leaders give initial approval to Carthage food truck park — Ouida Newell speaks at the Carthage Planning Board meeting on Nov. 7.

Newell told the board she plans to have four trucks on the property with a sitting area. She wants to leave the old trees on the property. Since the area is in the central business district, she plans to sell alcohol with a permit eventually.

The original buildings on the property will stay with plans to use the porch as a sitting area. In the future, she hopes to open a bed-and-breakfast in the larger building.

Currently, Newell is operating one food truck at the location selling wood-fire pizza but has hopes of making it a food truck park like Red’s Corner in Southern Pines.

“My vision is to have a $10 burger and a $3 beer so the working man can come out,” said Newell.

To begin with, Ouida Food Truck Park would be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. In the summer months, it would close around 9 or 10 p.m. The local ordinance says they will not be allowed to be open past 10 p.m. At some point, Newell wants to have live music there as well.

The conditional zoning request received unanimous approval. It will next go to the board of commissioners for final approval.

Feature photo: Location of the proposed Ouida Food Truck Park. Image via Town of Carthage.

~Written by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Curtis Self. Curtis has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2019.